He is super excited. We are very excited for him and proud of him, but neither my husband or I have any in depth experience with military life. I do know he did well on the ASVAB, and he took the DLAB today and they told him he passed that. He will find out his ship date on Wednesday.
As his parents, I don’t have to know every little thing about what’s going to happen, but I would like just some basic idea about the sort of life he’s embarked upon for the next several years. I don’t even know what to get for him to take to Boot Camp. Do I still send underwear and socks? Toiletries?
Best of luck to him, and thanks for his service. I came awfully close to taking a commission in the USAF shortly after 9/11 (the reason I didn’t is fairly silly and banal; I have mixed feelings about it still), and as I recall they were quite ready to let me know what to bring to OTS. One thing I do remember, from the interview, was that the guy interviewing me suggested an electric razor rather than a blade. Blades got inspected for stray hairs; electrics, not so much. Never went, so can’t say for certain the veracity of this, or how it works for boot camp vs. the somewhat more rarefied air (heh) of OTS.
I assume the recruiter would be able to advice him on what he needs to bring – when I went into the Army, my recruiter essentially old me to bring the clothes on my back and the toiletries that I’ll need. I was issued socks, underwear, and under shirts when I got to in-processing – though Air Force may be different than Army.
The Air Force is generally known as the armed service with the nicest lifestyle. Their cow is better and their duty is nicer than the others. On the other hand, I do believe that their testing and promotions are a bit tougher.
I did assume he’d be given the info he needs, but he’s off celebrating with friends, so Mom is left with a “Well, what do I do?” kind of feeling. I didn’t want to pester him with tons of questions right off the bat because I have tried very hard with both my older sons (22 and 19) to not be an overly nosey kind of mom.
So just toiletries, eh? Definitely cuts down on the packing.
A kid with a steady paycheck is going to do stupid things. That’s ok, but try to tell him not to get too stupid. Many businesses around military bases take advantage of this. Tell him to avoid buying things on credit for the first few years.
Well, I don’t know about right away in boot camp, but after he’s stationed and starts complaining about the base, make up care packages. My brother was stationed halfway across the country in North Dakota, and he’s big on food. Mother would make up a package of snack food only available in our part of the country for him a couple times a year.
When he was stationed overseas, he would tell us about how he had gone from working on planes in -40 degree F weather to 109+ degree F weather. It was a funny coincidence that both required you to wear gloves, just for opposite extremes of the temperature scale. The air force had air conditioned tents and cable tv, however. They’re considered cushier than the other branches of the military, but their promotions according to my brother are more difficult. So I’d say Intergalactic Gladiator is correct.
They get funds for their uniforms, and for the most part I don’t think the military likes you sending off clothing. The military treats feet as serious business and provides their own socks for a reason. The reason being trench-foot and the like.
For someone that ends up stationed overseas near phones, a calling card is probably the best thing to send them.
Hi, FaerieBeth. My son ships out to Air Force basic training on July 29. The recruiter will provide amazingly detailed guidance both to your son and to you. The recruiter will probably encourage you to stop in at least once for a face to face. Unless your son objects, do this. It’s informative. They’ll have forms for him to fill out to direct deposit his wages and forms to fill out to give you permission to attend his graduation. Also, most recruit classes end up with a Facebook page or other on-line community for the parents so we get to know each other and can sit together at graduation and party…
Since my son is 22, I haven’t been too concerned to help him pack for basic. If I recall correctly, he’s supposed to bring 3 changes of clothing (as generic as possible–all part of keeping his head down), a bit of cash, his cell phone and charger, the addresses of people he wants to communicate with, something to read on the plane, and his running shoes. Once he gets to basic, they’ll take most of that away. They’ll give him about $300 and drop him at Wal*Mart to buy socks, underwear and toiletries. The $300 comes out of his first paycheck.
Once he’s at basic, we can expect to hear from him in a couple weeks with his address so we can write. Hope that helps!
We’re excited, too. Our journey has been quite different. My son was way over weight and needed to lose 200 pounds to meet the physical requirements for enlistment. So we are celebrating greatly!!! He’s “half the man he used to be”–and very proud to soon be in the Air Force.
relax, I was in the marine corp first, and than the air force, night and day, the mil. will take care of him and give all he needs, he will enjoy the air force, and he will get an education that he can use once he get out.
Thanks, as_u_wish! He lives away from home (apartment with friends), about halfway between where my husband and I live and where his dad lives. I know his Dad went with him for his first visit to the recruiter, but that was a bit of a drive for me, so I’ve had to do with relayed info.
I’m certain he’s getting great guidance, but my son is a “man of few words” and most of them have been, “Don’t worry, Momma, I’ll take care of it.”
Thank you. This was the first time anyone has said that to me, and it sort of struck home that my child is off to serve my country. He’s the one who made that decision, and he’s the one who deserves all the credit. I had a Mom moment, though. I am extraordinarily proud of him (and his two brothers), and I have spent a lot of effort to not let it show how hard it is to let them go off on their own…even though I want them to do so, and do well!
elfkin477: I suppose it was intended to be “chow” i.e. food. So cows, or something that once upon a time was a cow, would be involved at some point.
:eek:
My God, right off the bat, they’ll be dropped just like that at a Wal-Mart in San Antonio? Talk about a harsh initiation!!!
(Just so you know, they’re going to be getting this kind of ribbing from those in the Army and Marines constantly.)
FaerieBeth, depending on what schooling he has chosen/been offered his ship-out date may be a bit into the future, but yes, do become involved with the service families online community so you can be up on what to expect. Great resource that was not there 20 years ago. Setting aside the differences inherent to each branch, Basic tends to be intense but usually goes by soon enough, best wishes for a succesful completion and a rewarding tour of duty for your son and as_u_wish’s.
Thanks! And do be prepared for a delay. My son passed his physical and all other entrance requirements back in !!! November. We didn’t find out his ship out date until April, and the date is the end of July. The waiting–after the long years of weight loss–has been very difficult. We are counting down the days now!
No, the Coast Guard has scows! The Air Force used to have weasels, and they keep trying to get rid of the warthogs, but the damned things just refuse to go down and die.
